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Autistic adults and type 1 diabetes

Research shows that autistic people can often manage their diabetes very effectively, but there are some common issues that you may encounter.
Content last reviewed and updated: 29.01.2025

Close up of woman in yellow top injecting insulin into stomach with insulin pen

What is autism?

Autistic spectrum condition (ASC) is a lifelong condition which affects people in different ways. Like all people, autistic people have their own strengths and weaknesses. Some of the differences autistic people experience are:

  • a different understanding of and style of communications
  • a need for certainty, for example routines and structure
  • differences in how they process sensory input (sounds, smells, taste etc)

These differences, along with a lack of awareness and understanding of autistic differences in society in general, can lead to high levels of anxiety in autistic people.

Many autistic people have particular subjects or hobbies that they take an intense or passionate interest in, and often become experts in that area. Many autistic people also have the ability to see patterns and details where others can’t.

Is autism more common in people with type 1 diabetes?

Studies on rates of autism in children living with type 1 diabetes have found slightly higher rates than in the general population (Xie et al 2022), but at the moment this research is small in scale. It’s possible that fluctuations in blood glucose might be associated with autism, but there may be other factors associated with T1D that play a role.

How might being autistic impact someone with T1D?

Although research shows that autistic people are able to very effectively manage their diabetes, there are some common issues related to autism that might cause additional problems for people also living with type 1 diabetes.

Difficulties with changing T1D needs

Because of their differences and living in a world that can feel confusing, chaotic and stressful, autistic people can experience very high levels of anxiety. To cope with this, many autistic people have a strong preference for predictability and certainty, which can be achieved by using routines and structure. This can be a real advantage in type 1 management, but when things change (for example switching to new diabetes technology) or T1D behaves in an unpredictable way, this can cause significant stress and distress.

Focusing on details

The differences in autistic people’s cognition (mental activities like thinking, remembering or using language) can mean that they are very good at focusing on details, sometimes at the expense of seeing the ‘bigger picture’. This means that they might be more vulnerable to certain issues. For example, a fear of hypos or hypers might mean they become very preoccupied with monitoring blood glucose and keeping it within a certain range. They may not be able to recognise the impact this might have on their health and overall quality of life.

Having sensory issues

Some autistic people with heightened sensitivity to touch might experience difficulty wearing diabetes technology, like continuous glucose monitors or insulin pumps.

Differences in how the body feels

Some autistic people struggle to recognise their body’s internal feelings (known as ‘interoception’). This can make it difficult for them to recognise when their blood glucose is going low or high.

Experiencing shutdowns or burnout

Sometimes people with autism can become overloaded with stress or sensory stimuli. This can lead to ‘shutdowns’ or ‘meltdowns’ where a person may be unable to manage their diabetes.

Autistic burnout includes long-term exhaustion, reduced ability to function, and heightened sensitivity to stimuli like sound or touch.

Managing type 1 diabetes daily can be challenging and frustrating, especially when outcomes don’t meet your expectations. Burnout occurs when these feelings become overwhelming, leading to feelings of helplessness or hopelessness. It may cause you to stop looking after your type 1 diabetes and try to ignore it most of the time. This might be skipping blood glucose checks, not taking insulin, or disregarding diet and exercise.

If you think you are experiencing symptoms of autistic or diabetes burnout, speak to your Diabetes Healthcare Team, GP or mental health professional as soon as possible.

Food and eating

Many autistic people have strong aversions to particular food tastes or textures, because of their sensory processing differences. This can make it difficult to get a balanced diet.

However, having a preference for eating the same things can be a strength in terms of carbohydrate counting. Finding a hypo treatment may be difficult if you don’t like a particular option, like jelly babies or glucose tablets, but there are now many options available, from quick acting juice shots to sweets to gels.

Sensory issues can lead to eating disorders and disordered eating in autistic people, as well as differences in interoception (how someone feels their own body) which can make it difficult to judge what to eat. If you are concerned about your eating and type 1, speak to your Diabetes Healthcare Team as soon as possible and find out more about type 1 and disordered eating.

Difficulties in clinic or hospital environment

Diabetes clinics or hospitals often have bright lights, involve social interaction and can be unpredictable. These are elements that can be very stressful for autistic people. Similarly, going into hospital for emergency or inpatient care can be overwhelming and very distressing for autistic people.

This content was developed by Dr Rose Stewart, Consultant Clinical Psychologist and Diabetes Psychology Lead, NHS, and Chair of UK Diabetes Psychology Network. It was reviewed by the National Autistic Society.

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